India's Second Aircraft Carrier 'INS Vikrant' to Operate MiG-29K, LCA Tejas Jets

India’s Prime Minister Narendra today commissioned the country’s second aircraft carrier and the first one built indigenously, INS Vikrant, at the Kochi Shipyard.

The aircraft carrier will join its sister warship, INS Vikramaditya which is the former Admiral Gorshkov of the Soviet Union.

“INS Vikrant is not just a warship. It is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of 21st century India,” Modi said in his address during the commissioning of the warship.

Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh commented, “INS Vikrant is a testament to our resolve to ensure the safety & security of the nation in the next 25 years. It will protect the security & economic interests of the country.”

With the commissioning, India has two aircraft carriers sailing the blue waters similar to that of China. But the latter has a third aircraft carrier in the making. India too is planning third aircraft with advanced features over its current carriers.

INS Vikrant is capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).

Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), the ship is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.